NMSU students return to classes from winter break

By Lindsey Anderson/landerson@lcsun-news.com

Posted:
01/16/2013 07:16:02 PM MST

Click photo to enlarge

New Mexico State University student Dorottya Lennert, 19, left, gets help carrying her refrigerator and vacuum into her dorm by Eduardo Martinez, 21, center, and Luis Gutierrez, 21, on Wednesday near Corbet Center. Students return to classes today from winter break.

LAS CRUCES — The NMSU campus is alive again as some 30,000 students return to classes today.

Parking lots were packed Wednesday and chalk notices for freshmen Bible study and women's rugby decorated the sidewalks. Signs urged students to "RENT!" textbooks as they carried suitcases, fridges and vacuums back into dorm rooms.

Sophomores Julianna Colunga, Anthony Bane and Mily Doherty ate pizza and bagels Wednesday afternoon in the Corbett Center, now open for normal hours. The three said they look forward to today's classes.

"I missed learning," Colunga said.

"It's something to do instead of just doing nothing," Doherty added.

Presidential search continues

NMSU announced last week it will pay a search firm $90,000 to assist in finding the school's next leader.

The Board of Regents aims to select a president before graduation, meaning five final candidates will likely be announced around April to comply with state requirements that boards list five candidates 21 days before they meet to make a decision.

Veterans housing offered

NMSU will designate housing specifically for student veterans and their families. The first residents are expected to move in at the beginning of February.

Three veterans and their families have applied to move into the eight houses, Student Veterans Association Vice President Andrea Sandoval said.

The houses help veterans transition to university life and create a supportive environment, Sandoval said.

"While it may not be the Taj Mahal, it is a good option," she said.

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Arts Center opens

NMSU's new Center for the Arts kicks off its inaugural season with the American Southwest Theatre Company's "Our Town" Feb. 22 through March 10.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 14 capped off construction on the $37.5 million project, which includes a 466-seat theater, rehearsal space and classrooms.

New student regent

The state Senate is expected to confirm undergraduate Jordan Banegas, a finance major, as NMSU's new student regent, replacing graduate student Christopher Dulany.

Sports

The spring semester brings championship aspirations for a handful of Aggie athletics programs.

Men's basketball won two of the past three Western Athletic Conference championships and can compete at or near the top of the WAC pack again.

Aggie's baseball should also be competitive this spring, while softball, which struggled badly last year, hopes a bounce-back effort is in store.

Sports writer Teddy Feinberg contributed to this report. Lindsey Anderson can be reached at 575-541-5462. Follow her on Twitter @l_m_anderson.